@gtownjohnno

Mark Stallard mentioned yesterday that in all competitions Notts have scored, including yesterday 96 goals and we've conceded 98.

A 4:2 win at Forest Green next Saturday would make it 100 scored and 100 Conceded in all competitions.

Thanks Robbie... I thought I had heard that on the way home from yesterday's game... Would that be a record to be proud of though???? 

@gtownjohnno

Well I think to get 100 goals scored would be a great achievement. Not so much the 100 conceded.

We've already scored 206 league goals in 2 seasons with one match to go, so that's another great statistic too.

And just 6 points off a playoff spot with one game to go just demonstrates how the season could have turned out.

18 penalties conceded in a season will most likely be a record we would want to forget too. 

The attendances since the brothers came in have been truly amazing, I do think we have been helped in that regard by our near neighbours being in the Premiership, lots of folk can’t get tickets so come to Notts. I’ve also been pleased to notice that there are lots more youngsters/children coming to the matches and they seemed to be enjoying the games. As I walked away from Meadow Lane yesterday I overheard a lady with three young boys. “Did you enjoy that boys?” The answer from the boys in unison was “Yeah it was great”.

We do need to keep these young fans they are the future, I hope we keep Meadow Lane a welcoming place for that lady to bring her boys.

The fact that there was nothing on this match as Notts were not challenging for anything, such as the playoffs and just playing for pride, Saturday's attendance of over 11,000 was very encouraging for next season.

Another factor that could attract the floating supporter to Notts next season is the extortionate season ticket and match price to attend the Club across the River.

It was certainly a great day out for families, yesterday with a great atmosphere too. 

We are still waiting for Notts to announce their prices for next season. 

Attracting families could be a big winner for Notts next season, by keeping prices low for Children.

I guess I'll just have to Agree to Disagree with you Robbie. Maynard still could have played Macca and Cedwyn up front from the off even if Ceds had only lasted till half time.  Jodi was kept very quiet today he didn't play to his usual high standard, the Colchester defender  on his side didn't give him anything. Ashby-Hammond almost cost Notts a goal with his wondering out of his 18 yard box, the Colchester player almost chipped him but his shot hit the woodwork. If it was Jim's last game at Meadow Lane he certainly went out like A Warrior, if only he was 5 or so years younger. He needs to be kept at the Lane in some sort of capacity next season. Dan Crowley was outstanding again and Macca well he was just Macca, he came up with the Goal to break the Stalemate and was unlucky not to score more.

Despite the recent Results there still needs to be Massive Changes at Notts in the off Season. An interesting quote from the Forest Green Owner when asked about their two successive Relegations he honestly stated Our Recruitment over the last two seasons has been Abysmal. So lets hope Montague and his team get things Right. The first couple of months next season should be enough time to tell if Stuart Maynard is the Man for the Job at Notts.

There have been some wonderful goals scored by Notts this season.

Every one of those goals on this short list has it's merits.

Aaron Nemane's mazy run against Walsall takes some beating. 

Pleased that Aaron got the goal of the season for Notts, and what a goal it was.

No wonder Stuart's pleased.

Another good performance from the team, another clean sheet, one defeat in five, three wins in four, the chance to get four wins in five if Notts win at Forest Green. 

It would be a positive end to the season for the gaffer and his team.

@Wheelbarrow repair man

Yes I have read it and it looks like the FA are determined to push it through.

The make up of the representation that made the decision appears to be heavily weighted in favour of the PL.

Early days, but we could be seeing the beginning of a big split happening in the national game.

The FA are clinging on to the big six every which way they can, but I think it's inevitable that there will be sadly a European Super League in the not too distant future.

Robbie 

You're 100% right there will be a Major Split within the National Games and I think you've hit the nail on the head regarding a European Super League, the FA don't give two figs about Clubs outside the Premier League. And  Manchester City Manchester United Liverpool Arsenal Tottenham and Chelsea will join a European Super  League and the entrance to which will be based on how much a Club has in it's Bank account rather than it's Football prowess. And Fan objection will be pushed to one side.

I feel the statement could have been harsher worded to be honest. As one of the founding members of the football league, Notts alongside six of the others could have formed quite a vocal opposition to this. They should have called out the FA like the Tranmere statement did, now that was incredibly well worded and hit home with a lot of fans.

The FA are running scared of the Premier League and the Government (whoever that may be) need to appoint the much talked about independent regulator as soon as possible because the FA cannot do it.

Preston North End 1 v 2 Norwich City

Sheffield Wednesday 1 v 1 Stoke City (Joker)

Bolton Wanderers 1 v 2 Portsmouth

Oxford United 1 v 1 Peterborough United

Harrogate Town 2 v 2 Sutton United

Newport County 2 v 0 Tranmere Rovers

Bromley 2 v 1 Solihull Moors

York City 1 v 2 Woking

The results:

Preston North End 0-1 Norwich City
Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Stoke City
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Portsmouth
Oxford United 5-0 Peterborough United
Harrogate Town 2-2 Sutton United
Newport County 1-2 Tranmere Rovers
Bromley 3-0 Solihull Moors
York City 2-0 Woking

---

This week's winner is... drum roll... @nottsnutter!

@nottsnutter - 11
@DangerousSausage - 10
@4everapie, @super_ram - 8
@Dan, @william1984 - 7
@cheeky~k8, @Fan of Big Tone, @Robbie - 5
@ARLukomski, @Megan_Elizax - 4
@gtownjohnno, @Harry Buckley - 3
@magpiejue - 2

---

With two rounds to go, @gtownjohnno and @william1984 need something big to overtake @ARLukomski. And I've done my play-off hopes no harm at all

ARLukomski - 210
gtownjohnno - 203
william1984 - 198
super_ram - 191
cheeky~k8 - 186
Fan of Big Tone - 186
4everapie - 185
DangerousSausage - 184
magpiejue - 179
Dan - 176
Megan_Elizax - 161
nottsnutter - 144
DonnyNotts - 136
liampie - 133
Chris - 123
Joshua - 90
upthepies - 90
Robbie - 83
allardyces tash - 70
TheSkipper - 67
Harry Buckley - 66
KingWilliams - 66
CliftonMagpie - 55
thommo - 49
OoooooTommy - 45
NottsCountyKev - 41
JIMBO - 40
jimbob - 38
Nocturnal-Magpie - 38
AmericanPie - 36
KB1862 - 22
George L - 6
Canadian - 4

---

The next round is on Saturday, so fixtures will be posted on Wednesday. In the meantime, make sure your crystal balls are well polished and take care!

Coming with a late surge ????????????

@Piethagoram I agree, the Nest is a low risk venture. There are so many money making things that could be held there, Darts, Snooker, Conferences, Weddings, as well as Matchday events. Like you wrote, sell it on, if things don't work out. I also remember going in the late sixties, when the Meadow lane terracing was falling to pieces, it was the same in the Cop too in places. Notts have come a long way since then 

@Wheelbarrow repair man You have legitimate concerns and many Notts fans will feel the same.

I think that the Owners and the board have to learn quickly from mistakes that have been made, about, mistaken loyalty, recruitment, on field player selection & tactics.  

As for the forum, we all knew that it was going to be strictly controlled when news came through that it would be recorded. With all these Audience participation events, they are still strictly controlled, even BBC question time is controlled.

It would have been better to have read out some questions from supporters, but again only a summary of fans feelings were mentioned.

As you know my concerns are about the ground itself, Toilets, Hot water, Permanent segregation in the Jimmy Sirrel Stand to allow more home supporters to sit there. 

Concourses need addressing, the covered up seats costing Notts with 3500 less people in the ground for a match that could sell out. That in itself could cost Notts up to £100K in lost revenue. 

Imagine if there were only 5 games a year where Notts could fill the ground. That's a potential £500K lost.

It was interesting to get an insight into the thought processes of the people running the club, but there were no major bombshells. The sudden appearance of party balloons on Paul Mace's screen was probably the best bit! ????

One of my main takeaways is that the head coach and his assistant seem to be more involved in player recruitment than I originally thought.

The bit about season ticket prices was very brief and a little awkward. Someone really needed to mention the cost of living crisis. I know it's JP's job to maximise revenue and put the club on a firm financial footing, but raising prices just because other clubs are doing it isn't a socially compatible thing to do. Go too high and we risk freezing out a section of our supporters, some of whom have only recently started going regularly. Football should be affordable. 

Following on with the embarrassment with the defence comment. I guess they thought the “style” would continue into the FL, in terms of keeping teams off the ball simply means they’ll have less time to attack and score and that it would still work. I thought we’d concede more this season but did anyone honestly think it would be this bad? I underestimated the step up in quality, we’re good enough to be at this level, but we can’t steamroll teams (in general) like we did in the NL.

I still kind of think the goals scored is at the expense of our goals conceded too. We set out to attack, the team is usually overloaded with attackers and we push everyone high up the pitch. Both the GS and GC kind of need to be looked at the same time, I think there is a correlation between the too. We’ve still got a +3 GD, the funny thing is if we’d have had a season where we’d scored 50 and conceded 47 I don’t think anyone would have any real concerns…

Maybe I’m completely wrong here but I think it’s actually easier to fix by making some personnel changes and tactical changes. Usually scoring goals is the hardest thing to do in football so I’d rather, if I had to pick, have to sort the issues out with the defence.

Agree with the ticket prices, sounds like they are going up but I'm hopeful it's by a very small margin. I'm not sure a market research group consisting of just Paul, who is a successful businessman, is a fair reflection of the financial situation of all Notts fans! Yes, it was a bit awkward when he kind of unequivocally agreed with idea of raising prices...

Of course it is going to be strictly controlled as far as the attendees and questions are concerned.

I do hope that they will allow frank and searching questions, just like the questions that we have seen being discussed on this Community.

Engaging with supporters in an open & honest way can only be good for the Club and Supporter relations.Both the Club and supporters could learn much from this forum too.

Full agreement with you Robbie. So if the attendees and questions are going to be Strictly Controlled, What Is The Point Of Even Having A "Fans Forum?" With the Club holding these meetings they're trying to give the impression they're connecting with the Fans when they're actually not. And as you say the People at the Club should take a leaf out of the Pride Of Nottingham Community and have Frank and Open Discussion about Fans real concerns.

Perhaps you and Chris can get yourselves invited and take questions from PON members to ask on the Evening? Even better why not ask for questions from PON Members get them to send their questions, put them up on the Site and say this is what we going to ask Joe Palmer and he can record his answers and PON can play his recorded answers on here along with the answers also written down. That way questions that matter will be asked on our behalf  do you think our C.E.O would be up for this?

I know Stockport are good but we seriously don’t help ourselves...

I’ll get the moan about the ref out of the way first. The first penalty is so bad it’s unbelievable, it’s blasted at Crowley from about 5 yards away and he was moving his arms into his body anyway. He didn’t make himself bigger and the ball would’ve been blocked by his chest anyway! I didn’t think the Cameron one was a penalty either because it looked to me like he took the ball cleanly before the two players naturally collided.

Luckily our performance was so bad the ref didn’t actually cost us. I know we scored 2 but we created one good chance with Langstaff and then until they scored their 4th, we really struggled to create much. It was, once again, a masterclass in how not to defend. In general our players were poor on and off the ball, constantly taking 4 or 5 touches instead of 1 or 2. Their defence and general off the ball play showed us what we should be doing. Once they went 4 up they relaxed and allowed us to get back in the game but even after we’d scored 2 they were still very dangerous. Even without the penalties, 5 goals didn't flatter them.

I know it’s easy to say in hindsight but it was so naïve playing 3 defenders, and being so open against a team that had scored as many goals as us before we kicked off. I know Stockport have spent a lot to bring in good players but we’ve got to be smarter on the pitch to combat it. We let teams have too many shots against us and we’re far to easy to get at. That fourth goal kind of summed up how easy we are to get at. Brindley is out of position, so one ball gets knocked into a massive space and they’re in on goal, one pass! How can you expect to not concede! It’s driving me mad. Yes we desperately need some new defenders but surely playing just 3 defenders and then the rest of the team as attackers isn’t the way forward.

We were on a bit of a hiding to nothing with Stockport needing a win to secure the title and us losing two of our best recent performers just before kick-off. But it's annoying all the same.

To play the devil's advocate @menzinho, I think SM has realised that playing four at the back doesn't give this team any more stability defensively, but when we've played that way it has stunted us as an attacking threat. With Chicksen and Abebayo seemingly unavailable and Robertson probably not yet fully fit, the team pretty much picked itself.

Which doesn't excuse some of the defending on display, of course. Langstaff should have put us in the lead, and until Baldwin's ridiculous slip it looked like we were going to give them a game. We looked shaken by the first goal and, like all good teams, Stockport were there to take advantage. Lady Luck deserted us for a bit with the penalty and the deflection, but at that stage the visitors were getting in so many attempts that more goals were inevitable.

As they say in Germany, wipe your mouth and carry on.

@menzinho

@DangerousSausage

I think there were times this season when the team should have been instructed to just grind a result, especially against the better teams, but unfortunately that is not the playing philosophy of the club at the moment.

I also don't think that this team know how to grind a result out even if they were told to. That's why we need to recruit some players that are hard, physical, can tackle and have plenty of energy.

Well deserved it’s a pity he was injured last night against Stockport.

Well did the people of Gambia outdo the US and Canada there! Notts training camp in the summer confirmed as a reward?  ???? ????????

I take it all back, definitely a serious award, well done Jatta!

Well done AJ! Did he win a cake?

For an "Academic" survey on such a topic, I am very surprised that you did not include the fundamental role of the governing body UEFA, in this case. 

As a football fan, one cannot allow UEFA and FIFA to continually hide behind Swiss secrecy laws. Both organisations need to be financially transparent

Many thanks to those who have completed the survey. It is still live if anyone has a spare few minutes to share their thoughts. 

Last shout to see if anyone has a spare few minutes to help me out with this research project.

The older posters remember it well

And these are the kits worn in that first season: http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/season/1888-89.htm

19 minutes ago, DangerousSausage said:

The older posters remember it well

Even I was a mere twinkle in my Great Grandad’s eye. 

On 09/04/2024 at 08:48, DangerousSausage said:

I'm expecting some politician's answers as club employees are limited in what they can say and they can hardly rip into our current players. That limitation aside, I think it'll be illuminating and it's good that they're speaking on a fans' platform that isn't controlled by the club. 

Yeah I'm not quite sure what some fans are realistically expecting from this. A lot has already been said in the statement the board put out earlier, fair enough if you don't agree with it but you're not going to get a different answer a few weeks later. And considering they themselves have admitted the season has been disappointing season, it's not been disastrous so I'm not quite sure what questions are even that tough for them to answer?

I think it'll be interesting to watch but at the same time part of me feels like I'll know some of answers they'll give. If for example they question why didn't we sign any defenders, I'm sure the answer will simply be; some of our targets weren't available/ some wanted too much money/ some signed for other clubs...

@menzinho I agree, I don't think we will learn much more than what we know already from both statements.

I'm sure both of them will stick to the script and ensure they don't deviate from what they wrote.

The most important thing we have learned is that they are behind Stuart Maynard, and they wanted to end any speculation about his future and they certainly have.

@menzinho I've listened to the podcast and we haven't learned much more than what we already knew 

Jodie for me with Macca a close second.

I think Jodi will win it and I have no issue if that's the outcome because he's had a record breaking assist season. I voted for Crowley though, in terms of levels I think he's been our most consistent player this season.

@Wheelbarrow repair man

I would give Stuart 6 for last night.

He picked the most experienced side he could, his substitutions worked. We could have easily have scored 5 on the night.

Jodi had an excellent chance that he missed playing on the right.

Langstaff missed 2 gilt head chances

Jodi has several assists over the season playing from the right, the cross to Langstaff against Newport away comes to mind 

You can't blame the Manager for individual mistakes, who would you suggest he played at the back against Stockport. O'Brien, Robertson and Randall? 

But you've also got to give Stockport credit too. They sniffed out much of our threat. They didn't get promotion for nothing.

One thing we can't blame SM is the atrocious defence that he has inherited.

Ashby Hammond 6.5 - Made a few good saves and had a lot to do, probably could’ve done better for their first though.

Brindley 5 - Didn’t do a lot wrong, didn’t do a lot right either though. I thought his positioning was poor and he struggled take the ball forward.

Baldwin 3 - Why does he try and turn so sharply when he’s under pressure, there was a forward pass on as well. Generally, a night to forget.

Cameron 5 – Looked flustered and panicked in our own box too many times. At least he tried to bring the ball out of defence.

Nemane 6 – Our most dangerous outlet, actually got at the Stockport defence. Struggled when moved to RB.

Jones 5 – Didn’t really help us defensively first half, (I know it’s not his strength) but equally he didn’t cause them much trouble down either wing. Didn’t look like League 2 player of the season in that game.

Bostock 3 – Completely off the pace, barely won a challenge, too many touches too many backward passes.

Austin 4 – Ran around but struggled to get involved or do anything of note.

Crowley 7 – It probably helped his teammates were so poor but in a game like that you can see why Arsene Wenger rated him. Good on the ball, tried to get us going forwards and scored a great goal.

Langstaff 5.5 – The usual effort was there, missed a decent chance first half but scored a decent goal second half.

McGouldrick 3.5 – Looked slow, again too many touches at times and his shooting was poor.

Subs:

Robertson 6.5 - It was a shame, given the other midfield performances, he didn’t start. Got at the Stockport players and stopped them playing through us (a bit).

O’Brien 5 – Better than Austin and Bostock, still had a couple of sloppy moments on the ball.

Randall 4 - Just kept shifting the ball when he got it, didn’t really want to take their defence on. And he cannot defend well, if he’d have backed off anymore for that last goal he’d have been in the stands.

I thought we missed Jatta and Macari, somehow both are both injured though… I don’t what’s happening with this constant cycle of players picking up injuries this season. Chicksen, I assume is injured again? And we had to recall Mahovo because I guess Rawlinson and Tobi are injured too now... Are we training on some sort of ancient burial site where if you run over certain parts you get cursed?

Great goal and Notts defenders should watch how they play out from the back. 

Stockport get a fifth from a cross from a short corner.

Notts 2 Stockport 5

It ends in defeat 

Notts 2 Stockport 5.

We know what the problems are. Our defence is just not good enough. Several players not up to it in this league.

At least we got a little bit of pride back in that second half. Langstaff should have had a hat trick but you have to hand it to Stockport. They are the best team in the league this season.

This tweet by Tom Williams just sums up our season, but next season will be different.

Yes! Were the landlords, the Mayhews???...they also ran the Centenary Lounge, located where Lawtons Bar is, in the old main stand

8 hours ago, Piethagoram said:

Yes! Were the landlords, the Mayhews???...they also ran the Centenary Lounge, located where Lawtons Bar is, in the old main stand

 

 

 

I don’t think I ever knew the landlords name. It was a nice watering hole before the match.

A lovely day yesterday doing the treasure hunt with family in the city centre.

What a beautiful city Nottingham is.

The weekend has just got a lot better.

The sun is out,

Notts have another win 

Nottinghamshire Cricket have had an excellent opening two days,

Britain's Ladies Tennis team have beaten France.

It's not raining so I can cut the grass  today.

And Nottingham Rugby play at the bay this afternoon.

Happy weekend.

An evening of 1970's comedies insights.

20 hours ago, Fan of Big Tone said:

Good point @Robbie it should put a few grand on the asking price,

It's already Been stated (fact) that we're not forced to sell. Not to say we wouldn't  refuse any silly offers. Just don't have to sell for financial reasons 

@4everapie exactly.

If a club is ambitious they try all they can to keep hold of their best players. We have three gems in Macca, Jodi and Dan and we should expect no less than Notts trying to keep all three.

On 07/04/2024 at 14:17, menzinho said:

Not sure they actually needed to put that statement out to be honest.

I feel the same way, although I believe this to be very sensible PR and should help to give Stuart Maynard some more support.

There had been a growing pressure on social media for the club to address fans concerns, with some believing that the board needed to address what has gone wrong. I think some of this has stemmed from how we started to plummet down the table, however, relegation was never going to be a concern.

A lot of fans will only want to know what's what and whilst I don't think the statement was warranted, I am pleased it has been handled in this manner because it shows how well we are taking the club's growth seriously. It's not a short term thing, nor the words of a five-year plan. We are taking each season as a means to improve and address what is going wrong. I think it's made a positive difference, which is all I care about.

I understand why some fans might be against Maynard, however, I feel it vital we stand as one.

The only way that I would be concerned about him, is if the players had given up completely. Comparing Maynard to Jamie Fullarton based on the win ratio, it just proves how stats can be twisted to fit someone's view point.

And yet Chris Stats and Data seem to be used for everything else at the Lane such as signing players and why Notts should be 8th and Not 14th. It doesn't matter how data on some players states they should remain at Notts because the stats say so, watching their performances week in and week out shows that in the Real World certain players should be let Go. One good game in three or four matches does Not Instil Confidence in the Fanbase. 

@Wheelbarrow repair man

When you brought up the stats it got me thinking about do they look at an individual player's stats throughout the season.

For instance, will they be looking at the number of tackles, interceptions, mistakes made, penalties given away, headers won, work rate, how a player reads the game, successful passes, unsuccessful passes, and assists.

I'm quite sure they will be able to put together a comprehensive player stat profile, however, as you intimated, performance, attitude, coping with pressure, are they a team player, is their performance consistent, what is their fitness record, are they easily injured, are they comfortable on the ball?

Having the full picture has to be the clincher to decide if a player is chosen for the team or dropped or if they stay at the club or go.

But something went wrong last summer and in January when it didn't look like some or most of these stats had been used, when we failed to release players that were lacking the skill for league 2, or recruit the right players that would have strengthened the side.

I was going to say something Robbie but I think it would just be going over Old Ground.

its really good to have you back, @Piethagoram. this is exactly the reason why we missed you and why you are such an important member of the community. thanks for the detailed response.

I'm starting to think if Notts were able to play with a level of calmness, much of our defensive mistakes would be greatly reduced. It's difficult to put aside that mental pressure you have, from expectations and disappointment over previous mistakes. I am sure all the players from one time or another dwell on a mistake which has proven costly and whilst they're professionals - they are still humans.

This is why I don't think fans getting onto the backs of players is fair, especially when it is clear that the player isn't performing underpart due to not caring but because of everything that comes with attempting to be successful.

Some players can cope with pressure, others don't. At our level, I think it is perfectly normal that it will have more bearing on their form and ability. Otherwise, I am sure more of our current squad would be competing higher up the Football League. In the short term, it's easy to come up with solutions or notice things which are causing problems, but it's only in hindsight that things can become a lot clearer. Reflecting on how woeful we have been at times, for me is the way that our passing back tends to put the pressure on yourself even when we are retaining the ball well.

The reliance we have on passing the ball back, needs to sometimes come at the cost of attempting to be creative going forward.

I have seen a noticeable increase in defending, from players who it might not come so naturally too. Such as Jodi Jones, who did very well at times against Walsall and some of the times he cut them out, it stopped them from breaking at us.

We have players who can pick the ball back up and win it, another player who has been fairly criticised is John Bostock. Again, I thought he did his role superbly against Walsall and since returning to the team, he does seem to have that spark back. Perhaps he was just jaded from playing so much, that his performances weren't to the level we have become to know, but it is good to see him doing well.

When one or two players perform beneath their ability, it will create problems and that's why next season I hope we can balance the squad out better. Build a team where we have depth in case of injuries and ability that is ready to be called upon when needed. Given the time, this is ideally where some of our own youngsters would fall into the category as a way to get them first team experience and further minutes under their belt.

The percentage stat of how we enjoy so much possession is a good thing, but we must learn to use this to our advantage. Teams get frustrated when they can't get the ball, whilst we need to avoid injuries, we do need to be a little braver that some challenges may result in the officials giving cards. This is just common sense that teams avoid losing players due to suspension, but we never really take advantage of it. Be calm at the back; this will allow the creative players within our team to do their jobs without worries of what they lose the ball. In turn, it would create a more winning mentality, whilst I think one or two players in the defensive department would make a difference. We don't have a bad squad and hopefully, now the players are showing signs to adapting to Stuart Maynard we will continue to see these improvements on the field.